<p>Top seed Prarthana Thombare managed to stave off a strong challenge from compatriot and seventh seed Eetee Maheta to win the ITF Women’s Futures tennis tournament here on Saturday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Prarthana won 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) in a marathon contest under humid conditions that tested the staying power of the players.<br /><br />It was credit to fitness of both players that they did not let up till the very end.<br />Eetee started the match on a positive note as she took a 2-0 lead only to concede the next three games as Prarthana gathered herself and began to play consistent ground strokes.<br /><br />Prarthana led 3-2 when Eetee started playing more assertively. Eetee captured four of the next five games as she clinched the first set 6-4.<br /><br />With the momentum on her side, Eetee took a 2-0 lead in the lead whenPrarthana took a medical time out. <br /><br />Focus lost<br /><br />The three minute time out seemed to have hurt Eetee’s concentration as Prarthana took five of the next six games to take the second set 6-3.<br /><br />Eetee again had the upper hand in the deciding set as she led 3-0 and 4-1 but Prarthana came storming back to level the match at 6-6. <br /><br />In the ensuing tie-break, Prarthana kept her composure to walk away the winner.</p>
<p>Top seed Prarthana Thombare managed to stave off a strong challenge from compatriot and seventh seed Eetee Maheta to win the ITF Women’s Futures tennis tournament here on Saturday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Prarthana won 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) in a marathon contest under humid conditions that tested the staying power of the players.<br /><br />It was credit to fitness of both players that they did not let up till the very end.<br />Eetee started the match on a positive note as she took a 2-0 lead only to concede the next three games as Prarthana gathered herself and began to play consistent ground strokes.<br /><br />Prarthana led 3-2 when Eetee started playing more assertively. Eetee captured four of the next five games as she clinched the first set 6-4.<br /><br />With the momentum on her side, Eetee took a 2-0 lead in the lead whenPrarthana took a medical time out. <br /><br />Focus lost<br /><br />The three minute time out seemed to have hurt Eetee’s concentration as Prarthana took five of the next six games to take the second set 6-3.<br /><br />Eetee again had the upper hand in the deciding set as she led 3-0 and 4-1 but Prarthana came storming back to level the match at 6-6. <br /><br />In the ensuing tie-break, Prarthana kept her composure to walk away the winner.</p>